‘I am a proud Fenian… no c*** will ever change that’: James McClean hits back at Stoke fans who abused him for not wearing poppy against Middlesbrough
- James McClean annually opts against wearing a poppy for Remembrance Day
- He was abused by both Stoke and Middlesbrough fans during Saturday’s match
- He then hit out on Instagram, calling section of home fans ‘uneducated cavemen’
- McClean quoted Irish activist Bobby Sands in expletive-laden post-match rant
James McClean has issued an expletive-laden statement calling his own fans ‘uneducated cavemen’ after he was booed for not wearing a poppy on Saturday evening.
The Stoke midfielder annually opts out of Remembrance Day commemorations due to his Irish-Catholic background, and once again received a strong reaction from supporters.
The Potters drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough on Saturday evening and McClean was abused by a section of Stoke fans during the game, before an angry confrontation with a section of the away support after the final whistle.
James McClean once again opted not to wear a poppy on his Stoke shirt for Remembrance Day
The Irishman was confronted by a section of the travelling Middlesbrough fans at full-time
The Republic of Ireland international issued an impassioned statement on his Instagram
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Stoke 0-0 Middlesbrough: Darren Randolph and Jack Butland…
Manchester United reveal Nemanja Matic’s decision to not…
‘I would ask people to be respectful of the choice I have…
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales: Harry Wilson arrives on…
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Taking to Instagram after the match, he quoted Irish activist Bobby Sands with the words: ‘They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn’t want to be broken.’
He then went on to add: ‘Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst.. to the home fans that are actually educated and support me, thank yous [sic].
‘To the section of uneducated cavemen in left hand corner of the boothen end stand that want to song their anti irish song each game and call me a fenian this and that.. i am a PROUD FENIAN no c*** will ever change that, so sing away.’
McClean’s Instagram riposte came after he had to be held back by stewards as he headed down the tunnel near the away fans at the end of the match.
McClean later hit back with Instagram statement, calling some fans ‘uneducated cavemen’
He will not be wearing a poppy in Stoke’s next game either, away at Nottingham Forest
The Republic of Ireland international is not the only footballer opting out of wearing the red flower on their shirts this weekend, with Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic also abstaining.
The Old Trafford club cited ‘personal reasons’ for the decision, which came as a surprise given he has worn the poppy before at this time of year.
United didn’t make an official comment but insiders said it was a personal decision and a private matter that the club respects.
Bournemouth marked their last home game before Armistice Day on November 11 by playing the Last Post on the pitch before kick off.
Nemanja Matic decided against wearing a poppy for Manchester United’s game on Saturday
-
Stoke 0-0 Middlesbrough: Darren Randolph and Jack Butland…
Manchester United reveal Nemanja Matic’s decision to not…
‘I would ask people to be respectful of the choice I have…
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales: Harry Wilson arrives on…
Share this article
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